The PR Women

Elle Spain published on their January 2011 issue this article about the spanish PR women from three luxury labels: Loewe, Dior, and Pedro del Hierro. They were photographed in their homes... It shows how stylish you must be to work in a prestigious label!

They fit their respective fashion houses: Alejandra is more elegant and classic, while Gaelle is more feminine, and María is much more playful.

Alejandra de Borbón: Loewe



Gaelle Collet: Dior



María León: Pedro del Hierro


images scanned by me

Blair Waldorf's Guide to Dressing

Even though I still think Gossip Girl isn't what it used to be, that every week the chapters are worse (nevertheless, I confess I don't miss a single episode), the costume design is still fantastic. Watching Gossip Girl is like reading Teen Vogue, but with characters that backstab each other. Everything is so glamourous, so elegant... When Blair and Serena are depressed, they don't eat ice-cream, they eat macaroons (Ladurée, of course), and if they want to take a short vacation, they fly to Paris, where a limo takes them from shop to shop, meet aristrocrats and go shopping to heal their sadness. That's life.

My favourite character is Blair Waldorf. She represents the elegance and the style, the good manners... She always has an outfit for every occasion, and her style icons are Audrey Hepburn and Jackie 'O. She shops at Barney's, Bergdorf & Goodman, and Bloomingdale's. She's got a personal account at Harry Winston, Tiffany's, and Cartier.

Her style marks?: Pearls (everything looks better with pearls), colourful tights (no one can wear white tights better than Blair), headbands (they were a trend thanks to her), and coats. She has thousands of coats. I love that scene in which she tells Dorota: "Give me my new Burberry coat... No, not that one, the other one"

When I watch Gossip Girl and Blair comes into scene, I think that I should never wear Converse All Star again, and that I should always dress like I were going to the opera or a cocktail. It looks like Blair lived in a paralel universe in which everyone dresses impeccably. For all these reasons, I'm showing today Blair's greatest hits. Now that it's winter, Blair's favourite season, it's the best time to make this post. And remember, "add pearls..."

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Aunque siga pensando que Gossip Girl ya no es lo que era, que cada día los capítulos son peores, (a pesar de eso, confieso que no me pierdo ninguno) lo que aún es genial es el vestuario. Ver Gossip Girl es como leer Teen Vogue, pero con personajes que tienen líos entre ellos. Es todo tan glamuroso, tan elegante... Cuando Serena y Blair están deprimidas, no comen helado, comen macaroons (de Ladurée, por supuesto), y si quieren cogerse unas pequeñas vacaciones, pues se van a París, donde una limusina las lleva de tienda en tienda, conocen a aristócratas y van de compras para aliviar sus penas. Como la vida misma.

Mi personaje favorito es Blair Waldorf. Representa la elegancia y el buen vestir, las buenas maneras, el saber estar... Siempre tiene un conjunto para cada ocasión, y sus iconos de estilo son Audrey Hepburn y Jackie 'O. Compra en Barney's, Bergdorf & Goodman, y en Bloomingdale's. Tiene una cuenta de Harry Winston, Tiffany's, y Cartier.

¿Sus señas de estilo?: Las perlas (todo queda mejor con perlas), las medias de colores (nadie puede llevar medias blancas mejor que Blair), las diademas (ella las puso de moda), y los abrigos. Tiene mil abrigos. Me encanta una escena en la que le dice a Dorota: "Dame mi abrigo nuevo de Burberry... No, ése no, el otro"

Cuando veo Gossip Girl y aparece Blair, pienso que nunca jamás debería volver a ponerme las Converse All Star, y que tendría que vestir siempre como si fuera a la ópera o a un cóctel. Parece como si Blair viviera en un universo paralelo en el que todo el mundo viste con un gusto exquisito. Por eso, os presento aquí los "greatest hits" de Blair. Ahora que es invierno, la temporada de Blair, es el mejor momento para inspirarse en su estilo Y recordad... "add pearls".

Winter coats

Blair's casual chic

Special occasions

Johnny Depp and Angelina Jolie

Yesterday I attended The Tourist premiere in Madrid. It took place at the Palacio de los Deportes, where they had built a giant screen on which they showed the film. The director of the film, Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck, was accompanied by Graham King (the producer), and... Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, and Brad Pitt.

The three actors spent around 45 minutes signing autographs. Then, Johnny and Angelina, with the director and the producers, entered the stage and commented the film before we got to see it.

I took lots of pictures, in fact, I could make a movie using them as stills. I was impressed by how nice the actores appeared, they seemed very down to Earth.

Angelina Jolie wore a Versace dress and she looked amazing. I was surprised to see that she was a very normal woman (well, a very beautiful woman), and she didn't appeared as "full of herself" as she does on her movies. She laughed, smiled... And well, Johnny... I don't have words. He's just perfect: a great actor, he can play the guitar and sing, he's got great style and personality. I made a post about Johnny and Kate Moss with pictures of their time together, you can check it here. It was a dream seeing my favourite actor.

The movie was ok, it isn't a masterpiece, but it is fun and entertaining. I don't want to reveal anything, as it's full of surprises!

The costume design was one of the best things of the film. The elegance of Angelina invades everything. I'll make a post with the best looks. By the way, all the shoes that Angelina wears on the movie and at premieres are by Salvatore Ferragamo.

Thanks to Nina Ricci for the invite! :)

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Ayer estuve en el preestreno de The Tourist, la nueva película del director Florian Henckel Von Donnersmarck. La presentación tuvo lugar en el Palacio de los Deportes en Madrid, donde habían montado una enorme pantalla para proyectar la película. Además del director, acudió el productor Graham King, y... Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, y Brad Pitt.

Los tres actores estuvieron alrededor de 45 minutos firmando autógrafos. Luego Johnny y Angelina, acompañados por el director y los productores, entraron al escenario y comentaron algunos detalles de la película.

Hice muchísimas fotos, de hecho creo que podría hacer una película si las usara como fotogramas. Me impresionó mucho la amabilidad de los actores, se mostraron bastante cercanos (en su justa medida).

Angelina Jolie llevaba un vestido de Versace y estaba guapísima. Me pareció una mujer bastante normal (muy atractiva, claro), no da esa impresión de superioridad que aparenta en las películas. Y Johnny... No hay palabras. Es perfecto: un actor fantástico, toca la guitarra y canta, tiene un estilo increíble (con una gran personalidad). Hice un post hace tiempo con fotos de Johnny y Kate Moss cuando eran novios, podéis leerlo aquí. Ha sido todo un sueño poder ver a mi actor favorito.

La película no está mal, no es una obra maestra, pero es entretenida. No quiero revelaros nada porque está llena de sorpresas!

El vestuario es de lo mejor de la película. La elegancia de Angelina invade toda la película. Haré un post con los mejores looks. Por cierto, todos los zapatos que lleva Angelina Jolie en la película y en las premieres son de Salvatore Ferragamo.

Muchísimas gracias a Nina Ricci por la oportunidad.





Angelina Jolie laughs



Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

photo from Hola

Bye...

(still from the movie)

all photographs by me (I never thought I'd have pictures of Johnny Depp on my camera) /// Fotos hechas por mí (nunca pensé que tendría fotos de Johnny Depp en mi cámara)

Beautiful things

Photos I've taken at recent fashion presentations...


This stylish girl is the designer of Labaribaruska, a great t-shirt label (she's posing with her designs)... Her jacket is from Mango (I knew you were wondering the same thing)




Duyos Accesories


Arnaud Maillard, designer of Alvarno, checks his phone. You can see his latest collection on the photo.


Duyos shoes!


Found at the entrance of Blanca Zurita's agency


Jesús del Pozo S/S 2011

all photographs by me

Jake Gyllenhaal in Burberry

Jake Gyllenhaal attends the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows premiere on November 11th.

With this photo, Mondays are not so bad... :)

The Tourist Premiere Winners

Thank you so much to all the people who participated in the contest. It was so difficult to decide the winners! All your answers were really good. Most of you chose "What's eating Gilbert Grape", "Finding Neverland", "Edward Scissorhands" and "Chocolat" as your favourite Johnny Depp films.

Muchas gracias a todos los que habéis participado en el sorteo. ¡Ha sido muy difícil elegir a los ganadores! Todas vuestras respuestas eran realmente buenas. La mayoría habéis elegido "A quién ama Gilbert Grape", "Descubriendo nunca jamás", "Chocolat" y "Eduardo Manostijeras" como vuestras películas de Johnny Depp favoritas.

The winners are....

- Inés Parm.

- Miss Sunshine

- Alicia Pa.

- Violet Dreams

- Nieves L.

Congratulations!


Miss Sunshine sent this beautiful collage

Wonderful Styling: an editorial from itFashion

Photographs by Xavi Gordo, styled by Fer Decartaya. The model is Alexandra Vittekova.
I found this editorial at itFashion, a great fashion website with amazing content: interesting articles, fashion shoots, designer profiles... I highly recommend their newsletter, lots of cool things everyday!

Nina l'Elixir and Miss at la Playa invite you to The Tourist Premiere in Madrid

The Tourist, the new film by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, will celebrate its premiere in Madrid on Thursday 16th (December). Thanks to Nina L'Elixir I've got five tickets to give away for the readers of Miss at la Playa. I hadn't planned more giveaways, but I couldn0t miss this chance! It's very likely that Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Vanessa Paradis and Brad Pitt will attend the event. That's right. I can't believe it either!!! Paul Bettany stars in the film too, and he went to the New York première accompanied by Jennifer Connely, his wife. If they come to Madrid, I might faint.

The event will take place in Madrid, on Thursday 16th (December) at 20:30.

Of the two main starts of the film, Johnny Depp is my favourite, so the question you have to answer to participate in the giveaway is: Which is your favourite Johnny Depp film and why? The five best answers (the most original or fun) get a ticket for two people each. Email your answer to verymoni@gmail.com. The giveaway closes on Sunday 12th at 11:59 AM GMT+1. The winners will be announced that day. Good luck! :)

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The Tourist, la nueva película de Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, celebrará su preestreno en Madrid el jueves 16 de Diciembre. Gracias a Nina L'Elixir tengo cinco pases dobles para el estreno para sortear entre los lectores de Miss at la Playa. No tenía pensado hacer más sorteos en una temporada, pero éste no podía dejarlo pasar. Es muy probable que Johnny Depp, Angelina Jolie, Vanessa Paradis y Brad Pitt asistan al evento. Así es, ¡yo tampoco me lo puedo creer todavía! Paul Bettany también actúa en la película, y a la premiére de Nueva York acudió acompañado de Jennifer Connely, su mujer. Si ellos vienen a Madrid, creo que me desmayaría.

El evento tendrá lugar en Madrid, el 16 de diciembre (jueves) a las 20:30.

De las dos estrellas principales de The Tourist, mi favorito es sin duda Johnny Depp, así que la pregunta a la que tenéis que responder para participar en el sorteo es: ¿Cuál es tu película favorita de Johnny Depp y por qué? Las cinco mejores respuestas (más originales o divertidas) se llevarán un pase doble para asistir al estreno. Envía tu respuesta a verymoni@gmail.com El sorteo se cierra el domingo 12 de diciembre a las 11:59 AM (GMT+1) Los ganadores se anunciarán ese mismo día. ¡Suerte! :)

Premiere in New York last Monday

Check Nina l'Elixir Facebook Page!

Shopping Guide to New York: Vintage Stores

I visited New York in August for the first time in my life, and I loved the city. It's so different from the rest of large cities I've been to (Paris, London and Madrid), and even though we're part of the occidental culture (we watch the same movies, listen to the same bands, and watch the same tv series), it seems like another world.

We had the typical tourist plan: visit the Empire State, see the Statue of Liberty, have a walk in Central Park, the Financial District... But I wanted to check the fashion stores too. I had spent most of my shopping budget in Paris (check the shopping guide to Paris here), so I knew I wouldn't go on a splurge (Well, I wasn't able to). Nevertheless, I was shocked to find that most of the prices were slightly higher than in Paris, and very few shops fitted my style. Maybe I'm more classic and European. Who knows.



Thanks to the amazing recommendations that you gave me on this post, I had a long list of shops to visit. I didn't have enough time to check them all (New York is big), but I made a guide with some of the best finds. My advice: if you really love vintage stores, go to Brooklyn and spend the whole saturday there.

New York Guide: Vintage Stores
Notes:
$= affordable items
$$= investment pieces (prices range from $90 to 300$)
$$$= expensive (many items around 400$ and up)

- LF Stores: 149 Spring Street.
- What goes around comes around: $$$ 351 West Broadway. When I visited the store, I wanted to buy everything. Amazing leather jackets, vests... It was too expensive to my taste, and most of the things could be found in other vintage shops (the ones in Brooklyn, see below) much cheaper.

- The Yelow Rat bastard: $ 478 Broadway. Lots of vintage superhero t-shirts. Nike, Levi's, Lee, Billabong, Quiksilver, Vans... Better for boys, but girls can find some treasures too.
- Tokyo 7: $ $$ 83 E. 7th Street This store is really good. Clothes by Vera Wang, Vivienne Westwood, Chloé... at very accesible prices. If you need a good dress and want to invest in a designer label, save some money and visit that shop.
- Salvation Army (lots all around NY)
- Frock: 170 Elizabeth Street
- Cheap jack's: 841 Broadway (between 13th and 14th streets)

- The Antique Boutique: 712-714 Broadway near 4th Street

- Pilgrim: 70 Orchard Street

- The Family Jewels: 130 W 23rd Street. (website)

- Matinee New York: provides costumes for Hollywood films such as Revolutionary Road, Factory Girl, American Gangster...By appointment only (website)
- Zachary's Smile: 9 Greenwich Village and 317 Lafayette Street

- Cherry: 40 W. 25th St.

- INA: 15 Bleecker St. (check more locations here)

- Resurrection: 217 Mott St.

- Allan & Suzi: 416 Amsterdam Avenue.

In Brooklyn:
Brookly was probably the best place to shop vintage clothes. Every saturday lots of markets and street vendors sell their unique creations, that include self-made jewelry, old books, vintage finds... I walked around Bedford Street and Grand Street and found amazing shops, I suggest you do the same if you visit Brooklyn.

- Brooklyn Art Market Artists & Fleas: $ 70 North 7th between Wythe/Kent This is a MUST. On saturdays. Young designers, vintage sellers, art collectors, reunite every Saturday for an amazing flea market. It's the best I've ever been. Lots of original vintage clothes (I wish I had bought a colourful jacket I saw).

- Beacon's Closet: 88 North 11th Street
- Vice versa: $ 241 Bedford Avenue. Really cheap! You can find vintage treasures here. Not from designer labels, but some hipster basics such as taylor-esque vests, leather jackets, shoes... The quality of the clothes is not quite good, most of them look dirty. Nevertheless, you can always clean them!

Vice versa

- Bird: $$ 203 Grand Street. A selection of clothes with a parisienne touch. A little bit expensive, though.
- Franny & Roey: 252 Grand Street.
- Flores Antique Clothing: 529 Grand Street.
- Jumelle: 148 Bedford Avenue
- Amarcord: $$ $$ 223 Bedford Ave. European style, looks like you entered a shop in Saint Tropez

Some other stores worth visiting:

(not vintage)
- Gap
- Abercrombie & Fitch: Even if you don't buy anything, that shop must be seen.
- American Apparel
- Urban Outfitters: the special items section is to die for.
- Prada: 575 Broadway The one Carrie Bradshaw visits.
- Century 21: Lots of designer labels on sale. I didn't like anything I saw.
- The three B's: Barney's, Bergdorf and Goodman, Bloomingdale's. As seen on Blair Waldorf.
- Tifanny's

- Adidas Originals Store: $ 136 Wooster Street. The classic designs of Adidas. I bought a really cool sweatshirt for $15!

For a complete list of Vintage Stores, visit NYMag (sorted by neighbourhood, really useful guide)

Restaurants
A list of interesting restaurants and bars in NY:
- Magnolia Bakery
- The Smith (East Village)
- Cafetiria (Chelsea)
- Los Dados
- Mercbar (Soho)
- La Esquina (esquinanyc.com) 106 Kenmare street
- Employees Only (510 Hudson)
- Brass Monkey (Meat Packing)
- Mud and Scoops and Cones
- Cafe Gitane
- Cafe Habana (Elizabeth con Prince)
- Pastis (Meat Packing District) Bookings: 1 212-929-4844
- Balthazar
- Coffe Shop
- Momofuku
- Shake Shack
- JG Melon
- Nobu (105 Hudson)
- Cipriani's (781, 5th Av)
- Burger Joint (inside a hotel)
- Spice Market
- Gray's Papaya (2090 Broadway)
- EAT
- Corner Bistro.
- PJ Clarke's

all photographs by me and my family

Also:
Shopping Guide to Paris: Le Marais